3 WORLDS / 3 MOONS: FOUNDATIONS #1 / Story and Concepts by 3W/3M / Script by JONATHAN HICKMAN & NICK SPENCER / Art by MIKE HUDDLESTON, MIKE DEL MUNDO & JEROME OPENA / Colors by MIKE HUDDLESTON, MIKE DEL MUNDO & MATT HOLLINGSWORTH / Letters by RUS WOOTON / Design by SASHA E. HEAD / Published by 3W/3M & DARK HORSE COMICS

The 3 Worlds / 3 Moons initiative (hereafter 3W/3M) was a dream given form as an on-line experiment. Two professional comic writers and two professional comic artists partnered on creating a new science fiction universe. Previously only available to subscribers at their site, the series is now seeing print thanks to a partnership with Dark Horse Comics.

So what’s it all about?

This first issue is largely devoted to establishing the setting and our main protagonist, Tajo Vallar. The foundations, oddly enough.

The setting is the three worlds and three moons that make up a future solar system. The action is centered around Tajo’s ill-fated expedition to a seemingly abandoned temple and his role as an expert in magical artifacts. Of course the Institute he works for denies the existence of magic, However, it seems that ancient powers are awakening and Tajo Vallar is to play a major role in an ancient war renewed.

Those familiar with Hickman’s work on X-Men will be on firm footing with the structure here. Beyond the comics, the exposition and background is delivered through a number of documents. These profile Tajo Vallar’s career and the mission of The Institute. The actual background of the setting, however, is delivered through the comics, as in the opening scene where Tajo reads a fable to his son about the foundation of their world.

Depicting these worlds would be a daunting task for any artist or art team. Thankfully, the other creative half of 3W/3M is up to the task. Despite being the collective work of many, there is no loss of visual continuity between Foundation’s three chapters. Everything is visually gripping, from the basic character designs to the colors. I see a mix of influences that evoke classic science-fiction comics. A Jack Kirby design here. A Steve Ditko effect there. It is possible I am just grasping at straws trying to codify that which defies definition, but the overall effect is memorable.

Foundations will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Like most of Hickman and Spencer’s commercial comics work, this is a slow-boiler that takes it time in presenting things, much less explaining them. With that caveat, the artwork is simply gorgeous and aids in drawing the reader into a world that invites favorable comparison to the creations of Bradbury and Asimov. And with the comic containing a QR code that offers three months access to the 3W/3M site, newcomers have ample chance to explore before the next issue.

3W/3M: Foundations #1 arrives in comic shops on July 8, 2026.